Do You Have Netflix Streaming Problems?

Our engineering team is working to multi-source most content, so that there are many possible alternatives in case of regional congestion (as long as the congestion isn't in the customer's home or last-mile infrastructure, in which case there is little we can do). Our newest Silverlight player (for Mac and PC) incorporates an initial version of multi-sourcing, and as we improve it, we’ll roll it out to everyone including our device partners such as Roku and Xbox. We hope by the end of year to have this problem largely solved.

Hunt also warns that some of the problems may be caused by in-house network usage. If you're planning on settling down for a night of movie streaming, you might want to pause any big downloads or backups.

In related news, CNet reports that Silverlight 3, now in beta but expected by the end of the year, could help resolve some of the problems.

"There are test configurations in our lab where we are seeing an improvement," said Kevin McEntee, vice president of Web development for Netflix. McEntee told CNET News that the company went out and bought computers such as an Asus Netbook that users had said were causing problems. In some cases, the low-end machines weren't able to keep up with the video and were dropping frames, McEntee said.The next version of Silverlight holds promise, McEntee said, by allowing the load to be shared by the graphics and main processors, whereas the current version puts all the strain on the CPU."There was a significant improvement using Silverlight 3," McEntee said. "We think we can run on a wide range of lower-end machines that we don't run (well) on today."

HackingNetflix reader Mike noticed an improvement by switching to OpenDNS:

Somehow, somebody is throttling the speeds. I can't figure out who, but this is the fix that seems to work. After 5 hours of research I have figured out a way around the issues.

I built new computer with a ASUS P5N-D motherboard.I then went to NETFLIX, and it Installed Sliverlight 2.0.40115.0. Results: "Sound Problem with Microsoft Silverlight 2.0"It's the weekend, so no support from Microsoft. I found a lot of folks were having issues with the same thing. Up to me to fix it.I then updated drivers for the Realtek High Definiton Audio to 5.10.0.5804, NO JOY.To test I went to http://silverlight.net/ and then to http://www.trt.com.tr/Canli/AnaSayfa.aspx?Kanal=TV1, I stopped running the scripts on the webpage and JOY- JOY, I had sound in a silverlight player.I then knew it was a Netflix issue. I went to the Microsoft Silverlight configuration (by right clicking in the player), and selected the "Application Storage" tab and deleted Netflix.com, and now JOY-JOY sound now works in the netflix player.

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Also having problems with netflix streaming.Have had account with Netflix for 6months without problems and the past two weeks the streaming is interrupted about every 5 minutes. I have changed router and also changed browser but same old issues. Any suggestions??????

I stream to my computer. When the movie are available in HD the picture is ok (not as good as a regular DVD) when the stream is not available in HD the picture is very often too grainy and looks like the digital transfer was made from a super 8 camera. I watch a lot of foreign movies but they're all recent and Korean cinematography is excellent. Of course Netflix blames it on my connection but every test I tried I got speeds between 6 and 12g and that wouldn't explain why it's good enough for HD and not for regular stream. I don't think they have any quality control of what the buy.
And yes I can get much better results from you tube although nothing is as sharp as the Top Gear 720p episodes played in Classic player.

I've had the same problem as a couple of other folks...streaming is fantastic and HD on our Roku box (hardwired), while the Watch Instantly on our computers (wireless) has suffered since we installed the box.

Obviously the Roku gets better bandwidth because it's hardwired, but it seems that maybe it's still pulling on some of the router's capacity overall, because we can start a video on the Roku and then go 'resume' it later on another computer and playback's choppy again.

Amazing how long this forum has been running with comment after comment regarding the same issues and yet Netflix has done nothing to even attempt to fix it. I would be happy if at the very least I was able to buffer more than a few seconds of the movie. Maybe then I could at least pause it and let it get far enough ahead that i wouldnt have to stop every 5 minutes and wait for it to start again.

i have streaming problems with netflix on my new l.g 60;IN I WATCH PART OF MOOVIE IT WILL GO OFF & WITH A MESSAGE SAYING SORRY THEY ARE EXP. DIFCULTY RUINING THE MOOVIE. CALLED C.S THEY TOLD ME TO WNPLUG MY ROUTER & REPLUG AND IT WILL FIX PROBLEM. IT DONT WORK GOT ANY SUGGESTIONS?????

I use playon now to watch hulu, Netflix, amazon videos and video files on my computer. Do you know of a program that would make my DVD look like a video file so I could watch it? Or do you know of another way I could watch a DVD on my Wii legally without that homebrew junk that can brick your Wii?

We have used netflex instant through PS3 for about six months and all was great till Dec then retrieving/pausing has gotten worse progressively. I have friends with wii instant with same problem. Have notified Netflex but no resolve. Will drop service if it does get better it was great.

Why is it i have troble streaming Netflix to my Sony Blue Ray DVD every FRIDAY and SATURDAY night? Daytime and Week nights, NO PROBLEM? Are NETFLIX Servers overloaded? What is the real problem because I don't think its my connection or device. I know it's not my connection because I'm entering this as I'm watching my frequently stoping Netflix movie and my connection is FINE. Does anyone else have this PROBLEM?

streaming was great with our roku and then suddenly about two weeks ago it stopped and all it says is, 'retrieving.' I had live chats with roku and with verizon (internet provider), after having already dealt with netflix who said it was roku's fault; and no luck, not sure if the roku is dead or not. We only had the roku for 1 year and it has gone kersplooey. Is there a fix, or is it dead? too bad, netflix was so great.

I almost cancelled my netflix subscription because of problems streaming HD movies to my internet capable Samsung TV (which is netflix ready). I could not find a way to disable the HD feature and became very frustrated with the frequent stops, as opposed to no stops when streaming a non-HD movie. Then I tried playing the movie simultaneously on one of my laptops and that did the trick. For some reeason, when you start the movie on a computer, then play the same movies on your internet TV, it no longer streams in HD. Therefore, there are no stops. For now I dont mind the inconvenience. I have several computers, i just make sure the volume is muted on the computer and I can now enjoy all of the movies on my TV. Yeah! It is soooo worth it now. I won't cancel, because having netflix on my TV is way better and much cheaper than all the premium cable channels like HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc.

For two weeks I have been unable to stream Netflix into my tv using my Blue Ray player. I can watch Amzon but not Netflix. My PC streams Net flix o.k.. I am ready to quit Netflix . Ane=y suggestions???

My LG TV recently quit working with Netflix when it had worked fine previously. After trying all the things listed on LG website I finally just deactivated Netflix on the TV and then went through the whole activation process as if it was a "new" device. It gave me a new code and activated. Now it works fine again. May work for others - YMMV.